Lowrance LCX-15

[Boomer]

Has anyone had experience with the LCX-15? A freind of mine is on his 3rd unit. He previously used a 350A which worked great. His problems are that the GPS will intermittently lose position lock, the depth won't lock in, and it won't show bottom contours. Both units worked initially, then failed after a period of around 2 weeks. The transducers were changed out both times as well. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Boomer

[joe]

Talked to a dealer at the Cleveland boat show. He stated they are having all kinds of trouble with the X-15s, to the extent that pro's were very upset and returning them. It seems that Lowrance changed the software several times in a one month period. I would imagine there are all kinds of units out there that need new software.

Bye the way the dealer also sold Garmin, Raytheon, Sitex and a few others. He said they were dropping Lowrance...

[PKW]

I am asking this question again because no one answered the first time; I have the Map-create CD and it does not show the Canadian shore line at Detroit. Do I have to buy more sofeware or FHS map?
Thanks for any help.

[Mike]

Most U.S. maps will stop at the border, since there's no agreement with that country to map their waters. You'll see it on nearly every USGS and/or NOAA quad map made, contours up to the border, then nothing but blue.

FHS maps does have the Canadian contours and it's just a matter of which company (in your case Lowrance/Navionics) supplies the data. I believe Navionics HotMaps has the river...you may want to follow up on their site for details or ask the Hot Spots guy on this board.

[FROGMAN]

I used the Lcx-15 last year, and experienced some of the same problems you mentioned. After getting the last software update (v 2.1)things worked fine. Great detail!

Good Luck

Keith Segar
NPAA #260

[Moose]

I have no problems since the last update!!!
I love mine.:7

[Mt-1]

I just got off the phone with Lowrance, they said when they first came out with the x-15 and x-16 they had some problems BUT they were fixed THAT summer. So to say all the pros are returning them is BS, they are not having all kinds of problems.

[jerry]

It seems that once everyone got the 2.1 version upgrade the incidence of problems went away. I'm getting two for my boat this year. Easily, the best locator/gps/mapping unit on the market for the price.

[Mt-1]

One thing to keep in mind when running 2 units, they will interfere with each other if both transducers are 1). both at the back of the boat 2).and running at the same time 3). running deeper than 17ft. If you have one at the front of the boat (20ft boat) and one at the back they can run at the same time as long as it's 17ft. or less. That way the cone angles will not cross and interfere with each other.

[Goose]

I talk to Lorwance at the MN boat show last night and they said if you turn down the Sensitivity of the one in front (both transducers on opposite sides of the Transom) you would have little to no feed back in shallow water. Was I given a classic "sales pitch"? I am about to purchase a X-15 (200kh) but would like to run my X-65 (192 kh)in the front of the boat. But I am struggeling over this problem.


Goose

[FISH PRO]

You're absolutely right about the inter-unit interference with the X-15's. I have an LCX-15 MT mounted on the bow and an LCX-15 CI Color unit on the console of my Skeeter 1850D. Even though the transducers are over 18' apart, they still interfere with each other. I have eliminated the interference by using the 50 hz transducer on one of the X-15's and the 200 hz transducer on the other unit. I have used my X-15's since last March, and after upgrading them both with the software updates, they have functioned flawlessly! In my opinion, they are outstanding units. By the way, I am not sponsored by Lowrance.

[Kaz]

Boomer: I'm still on version 1.9 and had no problems last summer. I love the unit and would buy one again in a "heartbeat" Waiting FOR SPRING.....Kaz

[Jim Ordway]

Fishpro, do you give up anything with the 50 on the bow mount regarding performance. I am going to be in the same situation with my new rig.
Thanks

[FISH PRO]

Jim, the dual frequency transducer (50/200 KHZ)is physically larger than the 200 KHZ. I installed the dual frequency transducer on my MinnKota 65 PD/AP Bow Mount Electric trolling motor because I spend most of my time fishing from the bow. I didn't realize that the two units were actually interfering with eachother until I happened to switch one of the units to the 50 KHZ mode. The inter-unit interference was actually masking some of the fish signals on both units, thereby appearing that there were no fish there, when in reality, they were there. When I switched transducers on one unit, fish began to appear on both units. I know that the fish were actually there because I saw them on my AquaView underwater camera and, in fact, caught some! By having the dual frequency transducer on the bowmount, I can now run the console-mounted X-15 at 200 KHZ and use the 50 KHZ transducer with the bow mounted X-15. I enjoy scouting for and locating fish with the X-15 color unit on the console, then moving to the bow to fish for them. I have used fish locators since the 1970's. I've previously owned papergraph X-15's. I must say that my present X-15's are much easier to use and provide just as much fish data as the old style papergraphs ever did. With the warm winter we are having here in Wisconsin, we'll be back on the water soon!

[BDESIGNER]

I also had problems at first but with the 1.9 update "ZERO" problems, accept, I would like 2 and replace my X-85 up front. Side note: I have NO interferance with my x-85 and my LCX-15.